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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04052011 - C.41RECOMMENDATION(S): APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or his designee, to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $400,000 on behalf of the County’s Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative (ZTDV) from the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) for the “Grants to Assist Children and Youth Exposed to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program” for a 24-month period upon grant award. FISCAL IMPACT: $400,000: No County Match. 100% Federal Department of Justice Grant, CFDA# 16.020. BACKGROUND: The Children and Youth Exposed to Violence Program creates a unique opportunity for communities to increase the resources, services, and advocacy available to children, youth and their non-abusing parent or caretaker, when a child has been exposed to incidences of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Collaborative efforts between community-based organizations APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 04/05/2011 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYES 5 NOES ____ ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____ RECUSE ____ Contact: Earl Maciel 3-1648 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: April 5, 2011 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: Earl Maciel C.41 To:Board of Supervisors From:Joe Valentine, Employment & Human Services Director Date:April 5, 2011 Contra Costa County Subject:Accept Grant Funding from U.S. Department of Justice BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) and governmental agencies serving children and youth, such as domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, child welfare systems, or mental health service providers, can maximize community resources and ensure that children and youth in need of service are identified and referred for the assistance they need. Furthermore, collaborative efforts should support the ability of the non-abusing parents or caretakers to support the development of their children. In efforts to mitigate the effects of children’s exposure to violence, communities need to work together to ensure needed services, programs and environments are available which allow children to process these adverse experiences and learn non-violent behaviors and healthy relationship interactions. Studies suggest that sixty percent of American children have been exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in their homes, schools, and communities. The exposure to violence can be dangerous, confusing, and detrimental to a child’s health, well being, and development. The consequences of these experiences may negatively impact children well into their adulthood. While there is still more to learn about the variances of effects, resiliency, and children’s ability to cope with these stressful experiences, we do understand that children and youth who are exposed to violence are at greater risk for psychological, behavioral, or physical health problems. Programs and services provided through the Children and Youth Exposed to Violence Program should reflect a clear understanding of how children exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are effected and the importance of supporting the non-abusing parents or caretakers in their parenting role. The overall goal of the proposed Contra Costa program is to identify, mobilize and strengthen community resources to mitigate the effects of childhood exposure to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. The three objectives of the proposed program are: 1) Strengthen systems, policies and procedures around referring children/non-abusing parents/caregivers to services. Build capacity for identification of children’s exposure to violence and referral advocacy; 2) Develop and deliver non-abusing parent/caregiver and child community-based advocacy connecting children and non-abusing parents/caregivers to services that support their self-identified needs and priorities. Coordinate and build collaboration among service providers who offer support for children exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking and to the non-abusing parent or caregiver.; and 3) Strengthen connection to referrals services including trauma-informed clinical interventions for children and non-abusing parent/caregiver. Ensure services are available for unserved/under served populations. ZTDV partners for the Children and Youth Exposed to Violence program include: 1. Antioch Police Department 2. Antioch Unified School District 3. Bay Area Legal Aid 4. Brentwood Police Department 5. Community Violence Solutions (CVS), a community-based sexual assault services agency 6. Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), Zero Tolerance Initiative 7. Contra Costa County Children & Family Services (CFS) 8. Contra Costa County Foster Care Clinic, Pittsburg Health Center 9. Contra Costa County Community Services Bureau Head Start 10. Contra Costa County Mental Health 11. First Baptist Church (Head Start) 12. First Five Centers, Contra Costa First Five Commission 13. STAND! for Families Free of Violence (STAND!), a community-based domestic violence/child abuse services agency 14. Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County 15. We Care Services for Children 16. Youth Intervention Network. Since its inception, the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative (ZTDV) has been recognized for its innovation in the area of system change through a comprehensive, coordinated, community-wide approach that interrupts the progressive cycle of violence, recognizing the cost effectiveness of integrated and collaborative service strategies. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: EHSD will miss opportunity to receive funding to assist children and youth exposed to domestic violence. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: The Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Initiative supports three of Contra Costa’s community outcomes (“Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”, “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing” and “Communities that are Safe and provide a High Quality of Life”) through coordinated intervention services designed to reduce domestic and family violence and elder abuse.